Piers Morgan has pointed out that Sir Mo Farah’s Life Stories might need a ‘retrospective edit’ after the Olympic champion revealed he was trafficked into the UK as a child.
The 39-year-old athlete shared in the BBC documentary The Real Mo Farah how he was brought to Britain from Somalia illegally having assumed the name of another child after his father was killed in the civil war.
Speaking in the documentary, Sir Mo said ‘the truth is I’m not who you think I am,’ adding he needs to tell his real story ‘whatever the cost’.
The father-of-four added that he was born in Somaliland, north of Somalia, as Hussein Abdi Kahin.
Sir Mo has been praised by many charities up and down the country since sharing his truth, and celebrities have also spoken out.
Among them was former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers, who wrote: ‘This Life Stories show might need a retrospective edit! @Mo_Farah.’
During his Life Stories interview in 2015, Sir Mo talked about his young family and the allegations of performance-enhancing drugs. His being trafficked to the UK as a child was not mentioned.
In the new documentary, Sir Mo told viewers: ‘Most people know me as Mo Farah but it’s not my name or it’s not the reality.
‘The real story is I was born in Somaliland, north of Somalia, as Hussein Abdi Kahin. Despite what I’ve said in the past, my parents never lived in the UK.
‘When I was four my dad was killed in the civil war, you know as a family we were torn apart.
‘I was separated from my mother, and I was brought into the UK illegally under the name of another child called Mohamed Farah.’
Celebrities including Judi Love and David Baddiel were among those to voice their support for the athlete, describing him as a ‘hero’ who has made people ‘proud to be British’.
Comedian David shared a picture of the pair, writing: ‘Whether he’s Sir Mo Farah or Hussein Abdi Kahin he’s a hero.’
Comedian and presenter Judi added: ‘You just never know what someone is carrying.’
The Real Mo Farah will air at 6am on BBC iPlayer and 9pm on BBC One on July 13.